CVE-2006-4870 in aeDating
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in AEDating 4.1, and possibly earlier versions, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the dir[inc] parameter in (1) inc/design.inc.php or (2) inc/admin_design.inc.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4870 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting AEDating 4.1 and potentially earlier versions of the software. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user-supplied input through the dir[inc] parameter, which is processed in two specific include files: inc/design.inc.php and inc/admin_design.inc.php. The flaw constitutes a classic remote file inclusion vulnerability that enables attackers to inject malicious PHP code into the target system through carefully crafted URLs.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through the exploitation of insecure input validation mechanisms within the PHP application's include statement processing. When the application accepts the dir[inc] parameter without proper sanitization or validation, it allows an attacker to specify arbitrary URLs that are then included and executed by the PHP interpreter. This creates a direct pathway for arbitrary code execution, as the application's include functionality treats the malicious URL as a legitimate source for code inclusion. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of command injection or file inclusion attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An unauthenticated remote attacker can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects both frontend and administrative functionality since it exists in two distinct include files, providing attackers with multiple attack vectors. Successful exploitation could result in data theft, system infiltration, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The attack requires minimal prerequisites beyond basic network connectivity to the vulnerable application, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote services to gain initial access to systems. The vulnerability also relates to T1059, which covers the execution of commands through various interfaces. Organizations running affected versions of AEDating should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and disabling remote file inclusion capabilities in their PHP configurations. The recommended defense-in-depth strategies include implementing web application firewalls, restricting file inclusion to local paths only, and conducting thorough security audits of all include and require statements within the application codebase. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in application design, ensuring that user-supplied data is never directly used in include or require statements without proper sanitization and validation processes.